Microsoft offers a peek at new search engine

A technology preview of Microsoft 's new search engine is unveiled. Meanwhile …

Microsoft has taken the wraps off its new homegrown search engine, offering a search page with a Google-inspired, minimalist interface. Development of the new engine, begun after Microsoft decided not to buy or license other search technologies, seems to have taken place at a rather brisk pace, although its index is not yet on par with its competitors. You will recall that last Fall, rumors of negotiations between Microsoft and Google began to surface.

Along with the Search Technology Preview, as Microsoft is calling it, comes a revamped MSN web search tool. MSN's search is currently powered by Yahoo, but will no longer utilize Yahoo's paid inclusion program, where sites pay to be included in search results. In addition, paid-search results will be limited to three per page, giving noncommercial results a higher priority than they previously had. MSN plans to continue licensing Yahoo's search engine until its own search technology is ready for release.

The ability to search your hard drive, network, and the Internet has become a major area of focus for developers. Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo have been locked in a search-engine rivalry for some time, which has Microsoft in the curious position of using one of their competitor's technology and paid listings at the present. For its part, Google is moving its search engine from the Internet to your Windows desktop with the development of a local computer search utility. Microsoft would rather have its users both on the desktop and World Wide Web use their own solution rather than Google's (or anyone else's) as the web search market is immensely valuable in its own right, and improved search capability will be a focal point of Longhorn once it ships.